SAM Vesty says he is delighted to fulfil the role of first team backs coach at Worcester Warriors.

The 33-year-old former Leicester back admits it was flattering to be linked with a position at his former club.

But Vesty, who has stepped up from being a transition manager at Worcester, is looking forward to the next stage of his coaching development.

“Dean Ryan gave me a shot out of nowhere,” recalled Vesty.

“I knew him to speak to a little bit but he gave me the chance to come to the club 18 months ago and the environment is a great place to learn about coaching.

“I worked for 18 months as the transition manager so I was looking after the younger guys and making sure they were ready for top rugby.

“I have been involved in the British and Irish Cup team and the Aviva A-League team who have had some success and done some good things.”

Vesty has replaced former New Zealand and Wales fullback Shane Howarth, who left the club last week.

“The backs and the whole attack side of the game floats my boat a bit,” said Vesty.

“I have loved working on the development side of coaching and working with our academy has been brilliant.

“I think we have a very strong academy which is going to go from strength to strength over the next few years and that is hugely important.

“It was performance coaching that I wanted to do but I loved doing my time in the development side of the game.

“I think the boys like Max Stelling and Ben Howard are flying really high and tearing up the Championship and I am proud of those two.

“Max Stelling has improved massively and is a fantastic footballer and a great athlete.

He can do some things that lots of other people can’t.”

Former Australia attack coach Jim McKay has also been appointed as a coaching consultant at Worcester and Vesty is excited about working with him.

“I know Jim because he was coaching the academy at Leicester when I was there,” said Vesty.

“He’s a top bloke who has got a great brain when it comes to thinking about attacking rugby and I can’t wait to sit down and learn lots from him.”